Course Detail()

This workshop equips accounting and finance professionals with practical insights in a rapidly evolving trade environment. As global trade becomes more complex, accountants must ensure that transactions are not only commercially sound, but also compliant with regulatory requirements and financial controls.

Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding on key trade finance instruments such as letters of credit, guarantees and how to apply them effectively in their finance, treasury and risk management functions. The workshop also also covers documentation accuracy, compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, and best operational practices.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand the structure and financial implications of key trade finance instruments;
apply trade finance procedures, including documentation, settlement and cost allocation;
comply with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to trade finance;
recognise and address common operational challenges in trade finance; and
implement internal controls and best practices to strengthen financial reporting and compliance in trade transactions.

Programme Outline

Introduction to Trade Finance Instruments

Importance of Trade Finance in working capital and cash flow management
Key parties involved in international trade
Overview of common trade finance instruments:
- Open Account
- Cash-in-Advance
- Documentary Collection
- Documentary Credit (Letter of Credit)
- Bank Guarantees and Standby LCs
- Shipping Guarantees

Payment Modes & Risk Considerations

Matching Buyer’s & Seller’s Expectations
Levels of Trust & Payment Modes
Advantages, risks, process flows for:
- Open Account
- Cash-in Advance
- Documentary Collection
- Documentary Credit
- Applicable rules and conventions (e.g., UCP600, URC522, ISP98)

Trade Finance Operations

Export LC Advising
Standby LC / Bank Guarantee
Shipping / Air Waybill Guarantee
Handling of Export Financing:
- Purchase / Prepay Export Documents
- Invoice Financing (Sales Side)
Handling of Import Financing:
- Trust receipt
- Invoice Financing (Purchase Side)

Compliance in Trade Finance

Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML)
Singapore’s Sanction Laws & Regulation
Common violations and consequences
Red flags and internal control requirements to prevent misuse of trade finance channels
Roles and responsibilities of financial institutions and instructing parties

Operational Challenges and Best Practices

Common Operational Challenges: discrepancies and delayed payments, disputes, sanction issues
Best Practices:
- Reduce discrepancies through documentation quality control
- Strengthening international controls and developing structured coordination frameworks
- Aligning trade parties for smooth execution
Case Studies and Practical Examples

Training Methodology*

Lecture with case studies, and discussion

Closing Date for Registration*

1 Week before Programme or Until Full Enrolment.

Intended For

This course is designed for accounting and finance professionals, trade coordinators, credit control and risk management personnel, banking relationship managers, and compliance officers involved in trade finance operations. It is ideal for those seeking to deepen their practical understanding of trade finance instruments and enhance their ability to manage international trade transactions effectively and compliantly.

Schedule & Fees

Testimonial

Funding

1] NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme) is an individual skills upgrading account for NTUC members.

NTUC members enjoy 50% *unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year when you sign up for courses supported under UTAP. NTUC members aged 40 and above can enjoy higher funding support up to $500 per individual each year, capped at 50% of unfunded course fees, for courses attended between 01 April 2024 and 31 March 2027. *This excludes miscellaneous fees such as GST and registration fee etc.

This course is approved for UTAP support for intakes conducted between 28 September 2025 – 31 March 2027.

As UTAP is given on calendar year basis, and calculated based on year of training taken, it cannot be accumulated.

Maintained paid-up NTUC membership before course, throughout course duration and at the point of claim and;
Course by training provider must be supported under UTAP and training must commence within the supported period and;
Unfunded course fee must not be fully sponsored by company or other types of funding
Unfunded course fee must be S$20.00 and above, and;
Member must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance for each application and sat for all prescribed examination(s), if any and;
UTAP application must be made within 6 months after course ends.

To submit for UTAP claims, please visit http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg/. Terms and conditions apply.
Should you have queries on the funding scheme, you can email to UTAP@e2i.com.sg or call NTUC Membership Hotline at 6213-8008

Programme Facilitator(s)

Understand the structure and financial implications of key trade finance instruments;
apply trade finance procedures, including documentation, settlement and cost allocation;
comply with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to trade finance;
recognise and address common operational challenges in trade finance; and
implement internal controls and best practices to strengthen financial reporting and compliance in trade transactions.